Development, Implementation and Evaluation of a Unique African-American Faith-Based Approach to Increase Automobile Restraint Use

The use of seat belts, particularly among children, remains below national levels in the African-American population. This article reports on a study that evaluated the success of a community, participatory, multigenerational faith-based youth injury prevention program that targeted motor vehicle restraint use. The program was evaluated by comparing outcomes between control and intervention churches. Following program implementation, significant improvements were observed in restraint use in the churches that had the program, compared to control churches. Results showed a 72% reduction in unrestrained children, a 25% increase in children being secured in the rear-seat position and a nearly 20% increase in driver restraint use. The authors conclude that the development and implementation of a culturally sensitive intervention program can significantly improve restraint use in a minority population. They stress that partnering with the community in all phases of the program is essential to its success. In addition, by focusing on childhood behavioral interventions with parents, grandparents, and guardians, there is tremendous potential for increasing injury prevention behaviors.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00279684
• Authors:
  • Falcone, Richard A
  • Brentley, Anita L
  • Ricketts, Crystal D
  • Allen, Sheryl E
  • Garcia, Victor F
• Publication Date: 2006-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1335-1341
• Serial:
  • Journal of the National Medical Association
  • Volume: 98
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: National Medical Association
  • ISSN: 0027-9684

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Blacks; Child restraint systems; Ethnic groups; Safety programs; Seat belts
• Uncontrolled Terms: Churches; Injury prevention; Injury prevention programs; Religion; Sociocultural factors
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01046690
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 15 2007 9:48AM